Helicopters collide over Australian beach, 4 passengers dead
Melbourne (AP) Two helicopters collided in an Australian tourist hotspot Monday afternoon, killing four passengers and critically injuring three others in a crash that drew emergency aid from beachgoers enjoying the water during the southern summer.
One helicopter appeared to have been taking off and the other landing when they collided near the Sea World theme park in Main Beach, a northern beach on the Gold Coast, Gary Worrell, Queensland state police acting inspector, said at a news conference.
One helicopter landed safely on a sandbank, but debris from the other was spread across an area police described as difficult to access.
The dead and three most seriously injured people were all passengers in the crashed helicopter.
"Members of the public and police tried to remove the people and they commenced first aid and tried to get those people to safety from an airframe that was upside down," Worrell said.
"(People on) Jet Skis, family boaters, ordinary members of the public rushed to assist these people."
Passengers in the other helicopter, which lost its windscreen in the crash, are also receiving medical assistance.
Footage of the crash showed a helicopter shortly after takeoff being clipped by another helicopter flying over the water.
A witness named John told Melbourne radio station 3AW that patrons at Sea World heard the crash.
He said staff at the theme park moved swiftly to close off areas closest to the crash.
"There was a massive, massive bang," he said. "It was just huge. I'm not sure if it was the propellers or whatever hitting against each other. But there was this poor lady and her son near the helipad in tears."
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the accident was an "unthinkable tragedy.
"My deepest sympathies are with each of the families and everyone affected by this terrible accident," she said.
Australian Transport Safety Bureau chief commissioner Angus Mitchell said an investigation into the cause of the crash was underway.
Queensland Ambulance Service said earlier that 13 people were being assessed for injuries.
The Gold Coast region is at its busiest in January, the peak time for holidays in Australia's summer. (AP)
LATEST: At least four people have died after two helicopters collided near Sea World on the Gold Coast.
— 9News Queensland (@9NewsQueensland) January 2, 2023
Paramedics say 13 patients are being assessed at the scene.
People are being asked to avoid the area. #9News
Read more: https://t.co/6OLHoRo4j1 pic.twitter.com/w5SjL96K5H
Two helicopters have crashed into each other in a mid-air collision on the Gold Coast, near Sea World. pic.twitter.com/3Vx9ymNssc
— 10 News First Queensland (@10NewsFirstQLD) January 2, 2023
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UP Cong holds statewide protest seeking probe into FIR against Swami Avimukteshwaranand
Lucknow (PTI): The Uttar Pradesh Congress on Wednesday staged a statewide protest demanding a fair and transparent inquiry into the FIR lodged against Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati and those who filed the complaint against him.
In a statement issued here, the party said memorandums addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi were submitted through district magistrates in all districts of the state.
Uttar Pradesh Congress spokesperson Manish Hindvi told PTI that the memorandums were handed over through the district administration in all 75 districts.
In the memorandum, the party alleged that Saraswati and his disciples were "unnecessarily harassed and humiliated" by police on the occasion of Amavasya and were prevented from taking a ritual bath (at the Magh Mela). It further alleged that some disciples were manhandled and taken to a police station.
The memorandum also claimed that an FIR was later registered against Saraswati, his disciple Swami Mukundanand Brahmachari and several unidentified persons in a sexual harassment case. It termed the case a "conspiracy" aimed at tarnishing the seer's reputation.
Citing Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution, the memorandum stated that these provisions guarantee religious freedom and the right of religious denominations to manage their own affairs.
It described the position of shankaracharya held by Saraswati as "one of the highest spiritual posts in Sanatan tradition" and alleged that the entire episode appeared to have been "orchestrated in a planned manner".
"We request that the background of the persons who got the FIR registered be investigated in a transparent manner by a retired high court judge and strict action be taken against them," the memorandum said.
It also sought a "fair and transparent probe" into the allegations levelled against Saraswati so that the truth could be established.
Earlier, Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai had told reporters in Varanasi after meeting Saraswati that the party stood firmly with him.
The Congress said it would continue to press for an impartial inquiry into the entire episode.
On February 21, an FIR was lodged in Prayagraj against Saraswati and his disciple Mukundanand Brahmachari on charges of sexually abusing two persons, including a minor, over the past year at a gurukul and religious congregations, including the recently concluded Magh Mela.
Days after he was booked, Saraswati had said on Monday that he would not oppose his arrest and asserted that the "fabricated story" would be exposed sooner or later.
At a press conference on Wednesday, Saraswati alleged that criminals rule in Uttar Pradesh, level allegations and influence investigations, as he denied having any contact with the two persons for whose alleged sexual abuse he has been booked.
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